This inspection was unannounced and took place on 4 February 2016.Pulsford Lodge provides care and accommodation to up to 50 people. The home specialises in the care of older people. At the time of this inspection there were 37 people living at the home.
The last inspection of Pulsford Lodge was carried out in January 2014. No concerns were identified with the care being provided to people at that inspection.
There is a registered manager in post. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.
The home was well led because there were effective systems in place and a strong management team. People knew who the registered manager was and said there were lots of opportunities to discuss their care or make suggestions about the running of the home.
Pulsford Lodge was situated in a small rural town and was very much part of the local community. They home had links with various local groups which made sure people continued to feel part of the community. There were opportunities for people to take part in a wide range of group and one to one activities according to their interests and hobbies.
People felt safe at the home and praised the staff who supported them. One person said “I think we all feel safe because the staff are so kind.” There were sufficient numbers of staff available at all times to keep people safe and to meet their needs. People we asked said there was always staff available to assist them when they needed help. One person said “They respond quickly to you, day and night.”
Risks of abuse to people were minimised because there was a good recruitment procedure and staff received training to enable them to recognise and report any suspicions of abuse. Staff felt confident that any concerns reported would be dealt with to make sure people were protected.
People told us they felt well cared for. One person said “If you have to be in a care home you couldn’t do better.” Another person said “I had no idea what to expect but it wasn’t this. The care, the facilities and staff are excellent. The carers genuinely care. The quality is unbeatable I couldn’t be better looked after.”
People received care and support that met their needs and took account of their preferences. People were involved in decisions about their care and treatment and were able to make choices about their day to day routines. Care plans contained risks assessments which outlined measures in place to enable people to take part in activities with minimum risk to themselves and others. Risk assessments were updated when people’s needs or abilities changed.
There was good access to healthcare professionals and staff were proactive in seeking advice from appropriate professionals if they had concerns about a person’s health. People received a diet in line with their assessed needs and dietary preferences. People were complimentary about the food served at the home. One person said “Food here is very good. Always a choice.” Another person said “Food is pretty good. Excellent roast dinners.”
People knew how to make a complaint if they were unhappy with any aspect of their care. People were confident that any complaints made would be taken seriously and action would be taken to rectify any shortcomings.